A grade level reading initiative focused on raising literacy levels among children in Camden City and Camden County.

Learning to read is the most essential and fundamental skill for academic achievement and future success. After third grade, students pivot from learning to read to reading to learn. Though we know learning to read is a key educational goal, an alarming 2/3 of American children are not reaching this milestone. Born to Read is committed to doing whatever it takes to change these odds.

We appreciate the generous support of our Born to Read volunteers, donors, and funders including United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey - Camden County, Holman Automotive Group, and the Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation.

Contact

For more information call: 856.964.1990 ext. 129

Goals

Born to Read partners include the City of Camden, schools, health providers, social workers, community nonprofits, faith-based groups, business and civic leaders, and local foundations.

Together we are implementing a plan focused on:

Raising expectations

Ensuring kindergarten readiness

Improving attendance rates

Reducing summer learning loss

Engaging parents

Encouraging healthy learners

Grade Level Reading Communities

We are part of a community network that includes 124 cities and counties across the nation involved in the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. As part of this Community Network, we are adopting a collective impact strategy and engaging the full community around the goal of supporting low-income children from birth through third grade.

Volunteer for Born to Read

Born to Read

Born to Read includes a high impact volunteer component. We are training and placing volunteer readers in our Head Start classrooms to read with children one-to-one. Reading volunteers help increase exposure to literacy among our preschoolers. As a Born to Read volunteer, you can play an integral role in improving grade level reading outcomes for children in Camden City.

If you love reading, enjoy working with children, and can commit to one hour of volunteering per week, then this is the perfect volunteer position for you....and your time and energy will make a real difference in the lives of the children we serve! Reading Volunteers are placed in the same classroom for one hour a week for the course of the school year. Volunteers read with children one-to-one promoting literacy skills and encouraging a love of reading.

We are currently recruiting parent volunteers and community volunteers to commit to one hour a week of volunteer time in one of our Head Start classrooms (we have 9 different Head Start locations in Camden City and Camden County) to read one-to-one with children. A one hour volunteer training is provided and background checks are required for all volunteers.

Born to Read - Volunteer

Which day of the week are you available to read for an hour? *

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday*

Do you have a preferred shift? *

09:30am

10:00am

11:30am

03:00pm

04:00pm

Anytime

At which Head Start location(s) can you volunteer? *

Clementon—extended day

Lindenwold

Chew’s Landing in Lindenwold—extended day

Blackwood

Centerville Abbott Location in Camden

Kipp Cooper Norcross Academy

St. Al’s in Oaklyn

Florence Road in Winslow

West Atco

Lawnside

Please tell us why this opportunity is a good fit for you *

Personal Information

First Name *

Middle Initial

Last Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

Zip code *

Gender *

Contact Number *

Email *

Education and Employment History

Highest level of education? *

Current Employer

Address

Job Title

Years of employment

References

Reference 1

Ref 1 Full Name *

Ref 1 Phone Number *

Ref 1 Relationship to Applicant *

Reference 2

Ref 2 Full Name *

Ref 2 Phone Number *

Ref 2 Relationship to Applicant *

Questions & Signature

By clicking this box and typing your name… *

By clicking this box and typing your name below, you are electronically signing your application, certifying that the information you've provided is accurate, and provide permission to Center For Family Services to contact any schools, employers, or references.

Do you have any questions that our staff can answer for you before beginning volunteering?